This year Vantage is all about the Great Connection, which is why we’re calling it “Connected”. The Great Connection is what happens when ministries focus on being highly relational as well as highly biblical, that instance when biblical truth becomes illuminated in amazing meaningful relationships. In other words, it’s the process and practice of discipleship. This Great Connection is what makes our ministries fruitful and allows us to create lifelong followers of Jesus.”

My takeaway from this conference reinforced what I already held dear, and that is that lives are impacted by relationships. I’m sure that there is a place for “tract-droppers.” I’m sure that those methods of evangelism may have been transformational and pivotal in someone’s life. It wasn’t for me.

Though many swear by door-to-door evangelism, or standing on a street corner and sharing the gospel with everyone that walks by; I personally have never felt comfortable with that type of evangelism. Yes, yes, I’ve heard it before– “You need to step out of your comfort zone, it’s not about your comfort, it’s about sharing Jesus and His gospel.” But for me, I was seeing God changing lives via relationships!

In my small group bible study, we start every year with me telling them that it is my goal, that before they leave TREK, they at least be on their way to knowing what they believe and why they believe it. Because if someone were to ask them why they were a Christian, “ I was just always raised in a Christian home” is the wrong answer!

In addition, you will find many Christians living a life separate…. now, don’t get me wrong. We are to live in the world and not of it, as Jesus has said. BUT- Ed Stetzer said it perfectly when he said :

The day continued with some fantastic speakers revealing information about the New TNT curriculum. A curriculum that seeks to encourage growth through relationships and discipleship via small group bible study similar to the TREK but geared to the age of the TNT clubbers.

Cindy Craig brought two of her clubbers, Paige and Meredith (ages 10 &11) to help model and explain the differences in the new TNT curriculum. Their church was one of the test churches this year for the new curriculum that rolls out next year. The girls were asks what difference they see in how they “did club” last year versus how it was run this year with the new discipleship model. One girl said “Well, this year a big thing is that I used to get really bored waiting for my turn to say verses. Really bored. This year I never get bored and I learned a whole lot more with the small group time.”

And therein lies the crux of the conversation. I feel as if I may need to write another post on this conference because I have yet to touch the tip of the iceberg. This post, however, will serve as my initial takeaway impression. Join the conversation. Add your comments or questions below. I would love to hear your take on children’s’ ministry, discipleship, or anything that may have sparked your interests from the accompanying live blog feed which I may not have covered in this post.